Sunderland Fall Fair a celebration of Canada

An event that got its start more than a decade prior to Confederation is set to celebrate Canada 150.

The 166th edition of the Sunderland Fall Fair gets underway at 4 p.m. Tuesday (Sept. 12) with the opening of the Air Bounce Adventure Land, which is replacing the midway this year.

In an interview back in July, fair board president Cathy Allison said the decision was made after the community’s midway provider amalgamated with a larger amusement company. The new provider, she says, doesn’t do one or two-day fairs.

“The agricultural society has planned a fun-filled couple of days for all ages to enjoy,” she said.

The opening ceremonies are slated for 6 p.m., along with a lawn tractor pull, antique car/truck show and vintage tractor exhibition. Other attractions through the evening include a horse pull, a pet show and a talent show.

Highlights of the second day include a light and heavy horse shows (9 a.m.), the parade and school cheers (10:30 a.m.), performances by the Canadian Cowgirls (11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.), a 4-H beef show (noon), a musical performance by Richard McIntyre (1 p.m.) and a buffet support hosted by the Order of the Eastern Star at St. Andrew’s United Church. As always, the demolition derby is set to wrap things up at 7:30 p.m.

Admission to the Sunderland Fall Fair on Tuesday evening costs $7 (school students get in for free) and Wednesday evening admission costs $10 (elementary students get in for free). A two-day pass costs $15 and parking costs $2.